Background and Purpose:
Ultrasonic physical therapy devices have been reported to be common electrophysical agents for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an ultrasound therapy device on trigger point or myofascial pain syndrome.
Methods: Three databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar) were searched and articles meeting the following criteria were included:
(1) Subjects are randomly assigned to a treatment group;
(2) subjects with identified trigger point or myofascial pain syndrome;
(3) The intervention group received multiple ultrasounds alone or ultrasound combined with other treatments, and the treatment methods were the same as those in the control group;
(4) The control group does not receive any treatment, sham treatment or other treatments belonging to the intervention group;
(5) Outcome measures include pain intensity (at rest, during exercise, or under pressure stimulation) or pressure pain threshold (PPT) at trigger points.
Immediate effect refers to the therapeutic effect measured immediately after treatment. Lasting effect refers to the therapeutic effect measured some time after treatment has ended (1 day to 6 months).
Results: A total of 6 studies were included and analyzed. The immediate effect of the ultrasound physical therapy device was a significant improvement in pain intensity (standardized mean difference [SMD] = –1.32, p < 0.00001) and PPT (SMD = 1.45, p = 0.0004) compared with the control group. The lasting effect of multiple ultrasound treatments was a significant improvement in pain intensity (SMD = –0.90, p < 0.0001) and PPT (SMD = 0.62, p = 0.04) compared with the control group.
Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates that
ultrasound physical therapy devices have immediate and long-lasting effects on significantly reducing pain intensity and significantly increasing PPT.
Clinical Relevance: This meta-analysis suggests that ultrasound physical therapy devices can reduce pain intensity and sensitivity to trigger point or myofascial pain syndromes.
